1. His passion grows in youth's wildness
As if what lures him onward makes him heedless.

2. When patience would restrain him in his course,
He turns impatient at her wise discourse.

3. He had obeyed her, if he were amenable;
A passion sways that does not hear or heed.

4. How short youth's summer, and the fruits it bore!
Signs of gray hair pursue him more and more.

5. My solace for misfortune's opposite
Lies in what has afflicted men before,

6. A gleam from slender Salmá's lofty tower
That wakes me, fascinates me with its power.

7. Full many a vain and foolish man has made
Praise of the Salmá tower his endless theme

8. And hoped by aid derived from your abode
To reach ambitions that were high extreme,

9. While Fortune robbed him of the power to climb-
He turned from lofty heights before his prime.

10. Forbidden pleasures tempt him soon or late
Who has been hindered but will not forget.

11. Attain your wish by those whom you entreat
If you would steal what you are forbidden yet!

12. I see steeds racing to the bower of Laylá
In Nejd, the cloaks of warriors flowing free.

13. They seek in Laylá's tribe and pastures green
What fills with graceful hoofprints every scene.

14. Your hands hold gifts of generosity
Which you begin, creating precedent.

15. The traits of meanness left Chemr alone;
He holds to nobleness, and it has grown.

16. Letting conceits guide him, he left aside
High thoughts, and what is excellent beside.

17. He judges men exactly as they seem;
Their secret thoughts are like cool waters' gleam.

18. Though his tribe help him, alone he is weak;
His people's aid he counts on to protect.

19. Where spears collect is danger, and as well
Where floods are gathered, fear the flood's effect!

20. You see his enemies have time for naught
Save places vantageless where he is caught.

21. The noble youth by whom his sire is graced
Is often by an abject father debased.

22. If you would take his gifts, by counsel try
To win them; force will naught but breed hate thereby.

23. Seek out the stars once shining in her brow
Whose loveliness is now no longer clear.

24. Upright, his marks of glory raise him high;
High station never undervalued here!

25. If pure ore makes the sword, its edge is bright.
It keeps its temper and its flawless might.

26. The critic points toward many a man of fame
Who rose like moon but into dark did wane.

27. Their glances fascinate the throng around
While most who listen cannot understand.

28. Star follows star across his skyey field
As crescent moons swell into discs concealed.

29. Shall I fear one who hesitates in war,
Yet thousands carried till they feared no scar?

30. But you, best two in merit and renown,
Give gifts, and gifts received with thanks endow!

31. Not your expected favor that I choose,
Nor your usual kindness that I use.

32. The mean delight in wealth, and are laid low.
You are a lofty crag they cannot throw.

33. Scant is the glory wealth inspires in song.
Not like the noble deeds that to you belong!

34. The bitterness of ocean makes men shirk
Drinking a draught of it to ease their thirst.